National FFA Organization
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education

What types of volunteer opportunities are there outside Maricopa County?

AmeriCorps - AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It's a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.

Peace Corps - Peace Corps volunteers 18 and older, travel overseas to make real differences in the lives of real people

Age of Consent...what does that mean?

This means that at that age an individual can have sex with whomever they wish as long as that person is consenting and they are the same age or older. To have sex with someone under the age of consent is a strict liability crime (in most states) known as statutory rape. It is often referred to by other names such as sexual assault, sexual misconduct with a child, etc. In addition to the age of consent, many states have age-gap provisions that legalize teen sexuality as long as they are within a certain age range. Arizona DOES NOT have an age-gap provision. In all states, dating, hugging, holding hands and kissing are not illegal. In some states, fondling, groping through the clothes or other such things known as "3rd base" is illegal.

What is the Age of Consent in Arizona?

The age of consent in Arizona is 18.

Age of Majority...what does that mean?

The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared) in law. It is the chronological moment when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them.

What is the Age of Majority in Arizona?

Like most states, the age of majority in Arizona is 18. Until that point you are considered a minor for most situations under the law. And your parents remain responsible for you.

Do I have to reach the Age of Majority to move out?

Generally yes, although there are those states which have laws that allow a minor to petition for early emancipation rights. The other exceptions could be if the minor obtains parental permission to marry or enlist in the military. There are four states where the age of majority exceeds eighteen (18). They are Alabama and Nebraska 19, Mississippi and Pennsylvania 21.

What can I do differently when I reach the Age of Majority?

There are certain specific actions which a person who attains the age of majority is permitted to take, which they could not do before. These include (but not limited to) entering into a binding contract, driving motor vehicles on public roads, buying stocks, voting, consenting to medical treatment and marrying without obtaining the consent of others.

You CANNOT buy and/or consume alcoholic beverages in the state of Arizona until you are 21!

You CAN apply for a driver license or instruction permit to drive a motor vehicles on public roads if you are between the ages of 16 (15 and 6 months for an Instruction Permit) and 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the legal guardian section on the driver license application. For more information on driving licenses, click here.

What does Emancipated Minor mean?

An emancipated minor is a child (between the ages of 16 and 18 in Arizona) who has been granted the status of adulthood by a court order or other formal arrangement. Emancipated minor status is not automatically bestowed on those who have simply moved away from their parents' home, however. The majority of emancipated minor cases involve working teenagers who have demonstrated an ability to support themselves financially. A professional actress or musician over the age of 16 (in Arizona) is more likely to be considered an emancipated minor than a runaway working for minimum wage.

An emancipated minor has the same rights as those described as one who reaches the Age of Majority above. Information on Emancipation of Minors can be found on the Maricopa County Office of Public Advocacy for Juveniles website.